234 - Anonymous - Am 5 Iuni Ano 1585

Anonymous - Am 5 Iuni Ano 1585 A fine and small, probably South German tabernacle clock with hour strike Dimensions 205 mm, circa 1585, Origin Süddeutschland Case: Brass, firegilt, square in cross-section, richly engraved with foliage on all sides, base with curved cut-outs. The four corners have fluted pilasters. On top is the bell, engraved with ribbons and foliage motifs, crowned by a female figure; short pendulum at the rear. Dial: Front - applied firegilt brass ring with 12 hour knobs for time reading by night, inlaid silvered chapter ring with Roman numerals "I-XII" and Arabic 24 hours, central alarm disc with Arabic numerals and central engraved sunray motif, single blued iron hand, winding arbor. Back - hour strike control dial with Arabic numerals, single blued iron hand, winding arbor. Movm.: Iron frame, iron wheels, 2 x chain/fusee for going and striking train, 1 hammer, verge escapement, later short pendulum, alarm mechanism removed. A tabernacle clock is an elaborately designed table or wall clock from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, whose case is shaped like a small, ornate tower. The case generally has a rectangular cross-section, stands on feet or a plinth, and is often surmounted by a dome or small decorative elements known as finials. The finely crafted cases were frequently made of gilt bronze, brass or gilt copper, sometimes incorporating wood or ivory. The heyday of these clocks was during the 16th and first half of the 17th centuries. The principal centres of production were cities in southern Germany, such as Augsburg and Nuremberg, as well as Austria. As table clocks, they were driven by a mainspring, while wall clocks often used weights. Many of these clocks were also equipped with additional functions, such as an hour strike or an alarm. They served as practical everyday objects, but were also prized works of art, status symbols and collectors’ items for princely courts. Case: very good, slightly repaired, slightly rubbed, re-build. Dial: very good, slightly rubbed. Movm.: very good, lacking elements, capable of running, re-build, cleaning recommended.